The United States lifted sanctions on Jorge Rodríguez, the head of Venezuela's National Assembly, on Wednesday, Reuters reported, as published by The Jerusalem Post.

Rodríguez is the brother of Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez. A notice from the Treasury Department removed him from its sanctions list, Voz reported. That means Americans can now do business with him.

The notice did not give a reason, Voz said. Rodríguez was first sanctioned in 2018, during President Donald Trump's first term, over claims of corruption and repression. The US lifted sanctions on Delcy Rodríguez in April.

The move came as the government and part of the opposition met in Caracas on Wednesday to begin a third round of talks, the Spanish news agency EFE reported, as published by Infobae.

The talks are backed by the United States as part of a transition after the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro in January, EFE said. Maduro is awaiting trial on US charges, Reuters reported.

This round will focus on political and civil guarantees for a future election, EFE reported. Earlier rounds in August and September dealt with changes to the courts and to freedom of speech.

Opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia are not part of the talks, EFE said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged more progress on "political freedoms and electoral reform" before the talks, the State Department said, according to EFE.

Some critics say Washington cares more about Venezuela's oil than about democracy, EFE noted. Caracas and Washington have made a deal giving the US access to 17 oilfields, Reuters reported. Sources told Reuters that the Rodríguez siblings are expected to lead changes to oil laws to let in more foreign companies.

What we know: The US lifted sanctions on Jorge Rodríguez as a third round of talks began.
What we don't: When Venezuela will hold an election.